Barcelona failed to close down the gap between them Sevilla and Real Madrid as they could only leave Benito Villamarín with a point on Sunday afternoon after a performance well below par.
With Iniesta and Busquets unavailable for selection, the Catalans giants struggled in the middle, with Rakitic and Denis Suarez unable to help get the ball forward to Messi and Co, thereby starving them of service and allowing Betis to dominate from the first whistle until the closing stages of the game.
A wasteful first half and woodwork intervention on 2 occasions left Betis ruing their missed chances as they deserved a lead. One didn’t come until 15 minutes from time when Barcelona failed to properly clear a corner, allowing Alegría to put in the loose ball into an empty net.
Barcelona almost replied as Pezzella deflected Vidal’s cross into his own goal, but Mandi made a goalline clearance which replays showed actually crossed the line.
Despite the officials denying them an equalizer, Barcelona continued to push men forward and were soon repaid on the death as Messi capitalized on some awful defending from the hosts, allowing him to play a pass through to Suarez who buried his strike into the net.
Here is how Barcelona players are rated in a dismal outing by all standards from them.
Ter Stegen
Despite not doing well enough to contain the corner kick that led to Betis’ goal, his superb saves to deny Ceballos and Castro kept Barcelona in the game and ensured the draw.
Rating: 8/10
Vidal
Blasted Barcelona’s best chance in the 2nd half wide over but was a constant threat upfront, with one of his efforts deflecting into the hosts’ goal.
Rating: 6/10
Mathieu
Couldn’t help build up play from the back as he always looked likely to lose the ball whenever he was in possession, exposing his goal a few times.
Rating: 5/10
Pique
While he popped up defensively at key periods, he found Castro a tricky customer and wasn’t able to play effectively from the back as it would have been expected of him.
Rating: 5/10
Digne
Despite always looking to make something happen anytime he went forward, his defensive output suffered and he almost gifted Castro a goal.
Rating: 4/10
D. Suarez
Poor display in the middle of the pack from the summer arrival as he failed to build up on his impressive performance in the midweek.
Lost the ball a couple of times and also failed to provide anything of worth to his forwards.
Rating: 4/10
Rakitic
Failed to replicate his last performance in Busquets’ holding midfield role as he couldn’t contain Betis attacks while he also couldn’t initiate any for his side.
Rating: 4/10
Turan
Was the best of the midfield trio with few brilliant linking up with Messi, but he was also unable to help prevent Barcelona’s midfield from collapsing, leading to his withdrawal as the defending champs chase a result.
Rating: 5/10
Messi
Had his threats greatly reduced as he seldom saw the ball, but he always looked to make something happen with it anytime he did, with his sublime pass to Suarez ensuring they left with a point.
Played a huge role for his side as usual.
Rating: 7/10
Suarez
Was out of all sorts all game, but he popped up just right in time to grab an important equalizer that could go a long way in the title race.
Rating: 6/10
Neymar
Try as he might, his finishing let him down time after time despite always getting close to help Barcelona out on the counters.
Rating: 5/10
SUBSTITUTES
Alba
Helped keep things smoother on the attack on his flank upon replacing Digne.
Rating: 5/10
Gomes
Helped to steady the ship after Denis was overwhelmed with Betis’ quality.
Rating: 5/10
Roberto
Replaced Turan in the middle.
Rating: Not Available